Drinking fountain



Dec. 29, 1931. w E OLSON 1 1,838,324

DRINKING FOUNTAIN Filed May 19. 1927 -1-z 2 I a" 7 7 g IEEEEEEEE- 6 6'- l 4 v a l l/ayneffag INVENTOR.

m I ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 29, 1931 UNITED STATES DRINKING FOUNTAIN Application filed May 19,

This invention relates to a drinking fountain and has for its primary object a construction whereby the usual form of milk can now on the market may be utiltized as a water reservoir.

An object of the invention is the novel construction of lid which is capable of partially closing the water container and restrict the amount of water flowing to the lid.

An object of the invention is the novel construction of lid capable of performing the dual function of a cover for the can when the latter is in one position and a water receiver or trough when the can is in an inverted posi' tion.

Besides the above my invention is distinguished in the construction of a trough with a marginal rim and a centrally located crown having a relative arrangement to provide an exposed water channel.

With these and other objects in view my invention will be better understood from the following detail description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved water fountain,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional View of the trough with the crown in side elevation.

Referring to the drawings illustrating one of the many embodiments of my invention, the numeral 1 designates a water reservoir which is of the same design as the type of milk can now on the market thereby enabling the ordinary milk can to be utilized as a component part of my invention. As is usual with cans of this construction a flared neck 2 is provided and this flared formation of the neck is utilized to provide the proper engagement between my improved trough and the reservoir and allow the proper feeding of the water from the reservoir into the trough until the proper level is obtained in the latter.

My novel construction of trough 3 consists of a bottom portion 4 and an annular marginal wall 5. A centrally located crown 6 1927. serial No. $2,726.

having an inclined wall at its lower end as shown clearly in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings, of the required formation is provided for insertion into the neck 2 for closing the latter with the exception of a discharge pas- 65 sage 7 provided in the surface of the crown by depressing the portion thereof. This discharge passage extends in the proper direction to communicate with a restricted outlet 8 in-the neck 2 so that water in the proper quanities may be fed to the channel 9 provided between the crown and the rim. Particular attention is called to the fact that the position of the outlet 8 is such that when the level U of the water in the channel 9 reaches its proper level the outlet 8 will be covered to prevent air from entering the reservoir so as to compensate for the discharge of ,water whereby the combined atmospheric pressure and water pressure within the reservoir practically equalizes atmospheric pressure to control the level of the water in the trough. It is of course to be understood that when water is removed from the trough resulting in the lowering of the water level the outlet 8 is 7 momentarily uncovered to allow a certain amount of air enter the reservoir thus disturbing the equalization of pressure so that the required amount of water may flow to the trough to restore the water level.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings it will be appreciated that I provide a very snnple construction of water fountain in v which the parts are so designed and associated that an ordinary milk can may be utilized if found advisable or economical. It will also be appreciated that the capacity of the fountain is practically unlimited due to the sim ple manner in which the parts are designed and assembled to assure the proper feeding of the water. It is of course to be understood that the design and construction of the parts may be changed in various other manners than illustrated and may be associated in other relation and therefore I do not desire to be limited in any manner except as set forth in the appended claim.

What I claim as new is:

As a new article of manufacture, a trough adapted for use with an inverted milk can of the standard type, the trough comprising a body portion having a centrally located crown, the crown being provided with an inclined wall near its lower end for constituting an efficient rest for the usual flared neck of a milk can, and said crown and inclined wall provided with means for separatin the can and the crown whereby liquid may ow down between the crown and the inner face of the milk can placed thereon for delivering liquid into said trough.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WAYNE E. OLSON. 

